Portable concrete batching and mixing truck



I 1942- G. H. STRAYER PORTABLE CONCRETE BATCHING AND MIXING TRUCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 26, 1940 1N VENTOR. G1 7 1 7 Sha 7" BY ATTORNEY.

Jan. 13, 1942. RA R 2,269,561

PORTABLE CONCRETE BATCHING AND MIXING TRUCK Filed Feb. 26, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. y H. Sfraye 1 ma, 51mm ATTORNEY.

Jan. 13, 1942. G. H. STRAYER PORTABLE CONCRETE.BATCHING AND MIXING TRUCK Filed Feb. 26, 1940 4 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. Gay M 5752 er ATTORNEY.

Jan. 13, 1942. G. H. STRAYER PORTABLE CONCRETE BATCHING AND MIXING TRUCK Filed Feb. 26, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. BY \sTrayef" I ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 13, 1942 PORTAEI E ONCRETE- BATCHING AN D m ING TRUCK Guy H. Strayer, Erie, Pa.

Application 'February 26, 1940, Serial No. 320,447

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally :to concrete batching and mixing plants and more particuluarlykto a portable concrete batching and mixing ruc All plants of this character made according to the prior art and-With which I am familiar, have been stationary plants. Mixers are being used on trucks but no combined portable batching and mixing plant has-ever been designed to move over a highway. All of the prior plants required rehandling of materials and where it was necessary to haul the mix in trucks, the operation was costly-and 'the capacity necessarily limited. No batching unit has heretofore provided any. efficient means for pre-mixing the age gregates and the cement.

It is accordingly an object of my invention to provide a portable concrete batching and mixing truck of predetermined height, length, and width wherein it can move over any highway in the United States within highway clearance regulations of any State thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a portable concrete batching and mixing truck whereinthe mixer, aggremeter, elevator, and'bin are so located that the most efficient operation of the machine can be obtained 'while locating the center of gravity of the truck at "the center thereof to maintain balance.

Another object of my invention is to provide 7 an underframe fora concrete "batching and mix ing truck which has an upwardly off-setportion at its forward end to permitthe machine to turn in a limited area.

Another object of myinvention is to provide a batching and mixing truck for concrete wherein the sides of the binare foldable to minimize the height of the machine.

Another-object of my invention is to provide an elevator on a portable concrete batching and mixing truck which is pivoted centrally thereof to minimize the height of the truck when it is in transit.

Another object of my invention is to provide a portable-batching and mixingltruck which requires no rehandlingof materials.

Another object of my invention is to provide a portable batching and mixing plantwhich is self-loading.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means in a batching and mixing unit for premixing the-aggregates and the cement before it reaches the mixer.

Another object of my invention .is to provide a portable concrete -batching .and mixing truck H which may be made ready for movement and which may :be set up in operative position in a minimumof time.

Another object of :my invention is to provide a portable concrete j-batching and mixing plant which requires the amount of labor for successful operation.

Another object of my invention is .to provide a portable concrete batching and mixing plant wherein all controls for weighing, mixing and discharging concrete may be 'operated :from one point.

Another object of -my;invention-is -to;provide a portable concrete batchingand mixingtruck with hoisting means operated by the same engine which operates all other unitsof 'the plant.

Another object of my invention is to provide a portable concrete batching and mixing plant which may be movedon a highway with an-ordinary motor truck.

Another object of my invention is to provide a portable batching and mixing truck with a self feeding elevator having a swivel chute leading to the bins movable through a limited arc and controlled from the central pointof the truck.

Another object of my invention is-to provide a portable batching and mixing truck which .has ample storage space for aggregates.

Another object of my invention is :to decrease transportation costs :for a batching and mixing plant. 1

Another object of my invention is to provide batching and mixingplant which provides-quality concrete at the least possible-cost.

Other objects-of my invention will become evident from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a side elevational view of my novel portable concrete batching and mixing truck in operative position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevaticnal .view of my novel portable concrete-batching and mixing truck in position for movement over a highway.

Fig. 3 is a rear end view of my novel portable concrete batching and mixing truck in operative position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view in section showing the weighing hopper ,or aggremeter and the cement hopper with thecommon feeding screw passingitherebeneath.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view .of the swinging gate for the weighing .hopper or .aggremetcr.

Fig.6 ,is a fragmentary plan .viewpf .thelengine and drive mechanism for the various units of my novel portable concrete batching and mixing truck.

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view of the connecting drives when the hoist is in operative position in my novel portable concrete batching and mixing truck.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the connecting drive when the feed screw for the mix is in operative position in my novel concrete batching and mixing truck.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 to 3 show the general framework of my novel concrete batching and mixing truck comprising an underframe I with an upwardly off-set portion 2, integral supporting columns 3 and 4, and longitu dinal and transversely disposed beams 5 and 6, all of which is suitably braced by bracing members I. Wheels 8 and 9 on axles I9 and II support the underframe I. Pneumatic tires I2 are preferably disposed on the wheels 8 and 9 in order that my novel truck may move over highways without injury thereto and in the fastest time interval. The forward axle I is on a swivel I3 in order that the truck may turn in a limited space, the upwardly projecting portion 2 of the underframe I permitting the wheels 8 free clearance thereunder. The framework is preferably welded although it will be understood that any form of construction may be utilized.

A drum-type concrete mixer I4 is supported on rollers I5 centrally of the underframe I and to one side thereof so that the discharge gate I6 projects outwardly from the side of the framework sufficiently to permit the ready filling of concrete buggies and the like. The mixer I4 is rotated through a centrally disposed rack I! in engagement with gear I8 empowered through a transmission I9 shown in Fig. 6 by a gasoline engine or any other suitable prime mover disposed on the forward part of the underframe I. The gate I6 is operated through a control wheel 95, sprocket chain 96 and a sprocket wheel and linkage system 91.

A bin 2| is disposed above and on the opposite side of the mixer I4 on the top side of the frame. The bin 2| has sides 22 and ends 23 which fold inwardly to a position shown in Fig. 2, to minimize the height of the truck. The bin 2| may be provided with one or two partition members 24 which also are foldable inwardly as shown in Fig. 2. The lower portions 25 and 26 of the bin 2| recede into outlets 21 and 28 on the side opposite to that on which the mixer I4 is mounted. Rolling-type gates (not shown) in the outlets 21 and 28 are operated by hand wheels 29 leading to the operators platform 39 on the rear of the underframe The rollingtype gates in the outlets 21 and 28 may be power operated.

A weighing hopper or aggremeter 3| is disposed under the outlets 21 and 28 of the bin 2| on the side of the underframe I opposite to that of the mixer I4 so that all aggregates from the bin 2| may be weighed before passing to the mixer I4. The scales 32 for weighing the aggregates are operable from the operators platform 30. The aggremeter 3! is provided with partitioning members (not shown) in order that the different aggregates from the outlets 25 and 26 may be placed in separate compartments in the aggremeter 3| and therefore mixed uniformly when they leave the aggremeter 3|. A cement hopper 33 is disposed adjacent to the aggremeter 3| and it has an outlet which allows the cement to be fed to the mixer I4 by means of a helical feed screw 34 (Fig. 4) which passes under the outlet of the aggremeter 3| to the inlet spout 35 of the mixer I4. A swinging radial-type gate 36 (Fig. 5) controls the flow of aggregates from the outlet of the aggremeter 3| and it is operated by a foot lever 31 operable from the operator's platform 30. This foot lever 31 also operates a clutch 38 from the foot lever shaft 39 through connected levers and 8|, which transmits power to the feed screws 34. It will be evident therefore, that the feed screw 34 will be operated only during the time that the swinging gate 36 is open thereby providing for a dry premixing of the cement being fed forwardly to the mixer I4 by the feed screw 34 with the aggregates coming to the feed screw 34 from the outlet of the aggremeter 3|. A standard batchmeter S3 to insure uniform mixing is operated through the lever 84 from shaft 39, upon which the foot lever 31 is mounted. The amount of aggregates in proportion to the amount of cement may be controlled by the amount of opening of the swinging gate.

An elevator casing 40 is pivoted to the side of the frame opposite to the mixer I4 at 4| by any suitable pivoting means. A bucket-type elevator 42 is disposed in the casing 49. The casing 40 has an opening 43 in the bottom portion thereof for receiving aggregates from a truck hopper 44 and the upper portion of the casing 40 has an outlet 45 leading into a swiveled chute 46 swingable about its point of suspension 41 to direct the aggregates to the compartment in the bin 2| which is desired. A shaft 48 operated by a cable 49 leading to the operators platform 30 through suitable sheaves 5!! permits the swing ing of the chute 46 through a limited arc from the operators platform 39 by means of the crank lever 85.

The mixer I4, bucket elevator 42, and the feed screw 34 are all empowered by the engine 20 through suitable gears 5| and 52 on shafts 53 and 54 and sprocket chains 55 and 56. Jaw clutches 51 and 58 are operated by handles 59 and 60 to rotate the mixer I4 and the bucket elevator 42. The feed screw 34 is rotated through clutch 38 operated from the foot lever shaft 39 when the swinging gate 36 on the aggremeter 3! is open.

The elevating buckets 42 are driven through the gear 6| on the shaft 53 by a sprocket chain 62 connecting the sprocket wheel 63 on the shaft 86 of the bucket elevators pulley 81. An idler 64 prevents excessive play in the sprocket chain 62. This connection is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 8. The sprocket chain 62 is removed when the truck is in transit. Braking means II!!! is provided to control the elevating buckets 42.

Fig. '7 shows the connection of a sprocket chain 66 to a hoistin drum 65 on the same shaft as the feed screw 34. This connection is made when the elevating buckets 42 are not in operation to p ovide hoisting means for the elevator casin The hoisting drum 65 is also used to hoist t truck h nner 44 and the ramp 6'! by means o a boom 68 and suitable block and tackle 6 nd 10 shown in Fi 1 on the forward end o he truck frame. It will be evident that this b m 68 may be used for any purpose for which it is designed. The hoisting drum 65 may also he used for any pur ose for which it is designed.

A hand brake II is provided for the rear wheels 9 although any form of suitable braking means may be provided. Generator and lighting equipment may be provided.

A water tank 88'is disposed in the upper; forward portion of the frame with: lines- 89 and 90' leading'directly to-themixer l4. Water control means lead to the operator's platform 39 and' are controlled by Water control member 91.

I will nowdescribe the change-over ofmy novel concrete batching and mixing truck from operative to inoperative position and vice versa. Fig. 2 shows the truck in condition for transit over any highway in the Unitedfstates with the elevator casing: 40 lowered to a horizontal position and the sides 22, ends 23, and: partition 24 of the bin. 2| folded inwardly to an. absolutely horizontal position. The: maximum width of the truck in transit is eight'feed with a-maximum height of twelve feet six inches. It is pulled by a suitable drawbar'94 attached'toaconventional motor truck 92. My novel truck may be placed- The truck is placed in its desired position in close proximity tothe job at: hand and the hoisting, drum 65 is connected to, the transmission [9 as shown in Fig. 7. The-engine 29 is started and one strand of the block and tackle 93 attached to the bottom portion of theelevator'casing '40 is wound aroundthehoisting drum'65 whereupon the elevator casing 40- is pulled to a vertical position as shown in Fig. 1' and secured. by any suitable means. The Chicago boom 63 on the forward end of the truck is then utilized to place in position relative to the opening in the bottom of the elevator casing the truck hopper M and the ramp'BT whereby amotor" truck 32 can dump into thetruck hopperM as shown in Fig. 1

with the leastamount of effort-expended. The truck hopper 44 and the ramp canbe carriediin. the motor truck 92 towing my novel-concretebatching and mixing truck. Thesprocket chain 66 for the hoisting drum 65 is then removed and the sprocket chain 62 for operating the elevating:

buckets 42 is connected tothe transmission. i9 as shown in Fig. 8.

The sides 22, ends 23 and'partition or partitions 24 in the bin 2 lis then raised to 'a vertical position, with suitable rods and braces'provi'cled to maintain them in this'position under load. The side of the bin adjacent the elevator casing 40 is usually connected to the casing 49'thereby' maintaining the elevator casing 49 in a vertical position as well as the side 22 of thebin 2 i.

the mixer 14 are then'placed in'operative'position and the operations of 'batchingand mixing concrete is ready to commence. Jacks or shoring (not shown) are ordinarily placed beneaththe underframe l to take the load off of the wheels 8 and 9 during the operation of the batching and mixingv unit. The operator; after placing the clutches 51 and 58 for the-elevator buckets 42 and the mixer M in operative position, mounts the operators platform 30 and places the aggregates which are dumped into the truck'hop The: clutches 51 and 58 for the-elevator buckets 42rand.

The desired amount A predetermined amount of cement is then dumped into; the cement hopper 33 whereupon thef not lever 31 I operated to open the: swing:- ing gate 36 onthe aggremeter 3| and engage the clutch 38' which operates. the feedscrew" 34-: to movev the cement forwardly toward the inlet spout of'the mixer M. It will beevident'that" apremixing of the aggregates and the cement will take place before they reach the mixer M.

The aggregates are placed inseparate compartments'in'theaggremeter 3| to-obtaina thorough. mix of all aggregatesand cement'at' the outletofthe aggremeter 3|. A predetermined amount ofwater is added-to the mix from the Water tank 88 and waterpipes 99' and 90 through a suitable control lever 9! leading to theoperators platform 30. After the concrete is thoroughly mixed in the mixer I4, it is allowedto flow through the dis chargespoutlthereof to a chute or'ooncrete buggy or'the lik by opening thegate I6" from the operatorsplatform by rotation of, the wheel which in turn is connected to the discharge gate I 6' through a sprocket chain 95, sprocket wheel and linkageST. Thesame operation can then be re'- peated as often as desired. It will be evident that all necessary controls for th mixing of the concrete and discharge thereof is operable from the operators-platform 39, therefore requiring a minimum number of men for the operation of the batching andmixing machine. To place the truck in a condition for transit, the above procedure is reversed. It will be evident that one man can operate this plant except for the handling of the cement.

It will be evident from'the foregoing description that I have provided a novel portable con crete batching and mixing truck whichma'yb'e transported" over any highway in the" United States, whichv reduces transportation expenses to a minimum, which producesquality concrete at the least possible cost, whichreq'uires aminimum number of men to operate it, which requires a minimum amount of time to set-up for operation and to prepare for transit, and which provides a means for pre-mixing aggregates and cement before reaching the inlet spout of the mixer.

Various changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, or from the l scope of the appended claims. 3

What I claim is: v

1. In a concrete batching and mixing plant in combination, a concrete mixer, an aggregate-hopper, a cement hopper adjacent said aggregate hopper, a gate on the outlet of said a regate hopper, a feeding screw for feeding" cement from said cement hopper to said mixer, said cement and the material from-said'aggregatehopper'being mixed before reaching said 'mixeiiand means controlled by the movement of said gate to operate'said feed" screw while said gate is in an open position;

2; In a concrete batching and mixing plant in combination, a mixen an aggregatehopp er hav- 5 m a plurality of compartments, a cement hopper adjacent said aggregatehopper, a gate on.

the outlet of said aggregate hopper controlling- 3. In a portable concrete batching and mixing truck for high speed movement'overany highway having minimum height, width, and length and a low center of gravity, in combination, a frame, wheels for said frame, a concrete mixer disposed on one side of said frame, a bin disposed above and on the opposite side of said frame, an aggremeter disposed below said bin, means for premixing and for feeding material from said aggremeter, and cement to said mixer, elevating means for conveying material to said bin pivoted centrally thereof to said frame opposite to said concrete mixer, said concrete mixer, bin, aggremeter, and pivoted elevating means being in substantial balance, and means for empowering said mixer, said feeding means for said mixer, and said elevating means.

4. In a portable concrete batching and mixing truck for high speed movement on any highway with minimum height, width, and length, and having a low center of gravity, in combination, a frame, wheels on said frame, braking means for said wheels, a concrete mixer disposed on one side of said frame, a bin disposed above and on the opposite side of said frame, an aggremeter disposed below said bin, means for premixing and for feeding material from said aggremeter and cement to said mixer, centrally pivoted conveying means for feeding material to said bins, said concrete mixer, bin, aggremeter, and conveying means being in substantial balance, power means for empowering said mixer, said feeding means and said conveying means, and means for controlling all of the operations of said mixer, aggremeter, conveying means, and braking means from a central point on the said truck.

5. In a portable concrete batching and mixing truck for high speed movement on any highway, and Within standard height, width, and length limitations for vehicles, in combination, a frame; wheels for said frame, a concrete mixer disposed on one side of said frame, a bin disposed above and on the opposite side of said frame having the sides thereof foldable downwardly, an aggremeter disposed below said bins, means for premixing and for feeding material from said aggremeter and cement to said mixer, an elevator centrally pivoted to the side of said frame opposite said concrete mixer, said mixer, bin, aggremeter and elevator being in substantial balance, and power means for empowering said mixer, said feeding means and said elevator.

6. In a portable concrete batching and mixing truck for high speed movement on any highway within standard height, width, and length limitations for vehicles, in combination, a frame, wheels for said frame, a bin having a partition disposed above and on the opposite side of said frame, the sides and partitioning members of said bin being foldable downwardly, a weighing aggremeter disposed below said bin, a cement hopper adjacent said aggremeter, means for premixing and for feeding material from said aggremeterand cement from said cement hopper to said mixer, an elevator pivoted centrally thereof on the side of said frame opposite to said mixer, said concrete mixer, bin, elevator, cement hopper and aggremeter being in substantial balance, and power means for empowering said mixer, said feeding means and said elevator.

7. In a portable concrete batching and mixing truck for high speed movement on any high way and within standard height, width, and length limitations for vehicles, in combination, a frame, wheels for said frame, braking means for said wheels, a concrete mixer disposed on one side of said frame, a bin having foldable sides disposed above and on the opposite side of said frame, a weighing aggremeter disposed below said bin, a cement hopper, means for premixing and for feeding material from said aggremeter and cement hopper to said mixer, a source of water supply, a control platform, control means operatable from said platform for controlling all of the batching and mixing operations of said truck, an elevator pivoted centrally thereof on the side of said frame opposite said mixer controlled from said control platform, and power means for empowering said elevator, feeding means, and said mixer.

8. In a balanced portabl concrete batching and mixing truck for high speed movement on any highway and within standard height, width, and length limitations for Vehicles, in combination, a frame, wheels for said frame, a concrete mixer disposed on one side of said frame, a bin disposed above and on the opposite side of said frame having the sides and partition members thereof foldable downwardly, a weighing aggremeter disposed below said bin having an outlet adjacent said mixer for feeding aggregates thereto, a cement hopper disposed adjacent to said aggremeter, a feed screw disposed below said cement hopper for feeding cement to said mixer, the outlet end of said feed screw being disposed adjacent the outlet in said aggremeter to feed said cement into the path of aggregates flowing from said aggremeter, a completely intact elevator pivoted centrally thereof to the side of said frame opposite to said mixer for feeding aggregates to said bin, and power means for empowering said mixer, said feed screw and said elevator.

9. In a balanced portable concrete batching and mixing truck for high speed movement on any highway and within standard limitations for vehicles, in combination, a frame, wheels for said frame, a concrete mixer disposed on one side of said frame, a bin disposed above and on the opposite side of said frame, a weighing aggremeter disposed below said bin having an outlet opening adjacent said mixer, a cement hopper, a feed screw for feeding cement into the path of aggregates flowing from said aggremeter, the outlet 'end of said feed screw directing cement in the path of aggregates passing from the outlet in said aggremeter to the mixer, a completely intact elevator pivoted centrally thereof to the side of said frame opposite said mixer for conveying material to said bins, a hoisting drum, and unitary power means for empowering saidmixer, said feed screw, said hoisting drum and said elevator, said aggremeter, bin, elevator, concrete mixer, and cement hopper being disposed in substantial balance on said frame.

GUY H. STRAYER. 

